We’re Ready for You!

It’s been a strange year! We did host a few guests in 2020 and now wait to see what 2021 hold in terms of bookings.

I see that I have not posted in quite a while so here is an update!

The main event  in 2020 saw the introduction of our chickens who provide really fresh eggs for our guests. Brenda, Barbara, Beryl. Polly, Olive, Primrose and Iris are currently in their own government imposed lock down, due to an out break of Avian flu in the UK, but I hope you will see them pottering about the garden again soon. We did experiment with a cockerel, the magnificent Jock, but he proved a little too good at guarding his ladies and has moved on to thirteen girls near Portree, where he continues to be handsome and a real gent with the hens.

Our cleaning protocols have had to change and so we are leaving 24 hours between bookings in order to make sure all the extra steps we have to take are in place. I am happy to run through them with you if you are interested, but won’t bore you here… you are thinking about holidays not housework! They are in accordance with The Association of Scottish Self Caterers and Airbnb standards. For guests we currently have to ask that you strip the beds of linen and out the bins out, but that is all that is required of you under the new guidelines. Hopefully this will change soon.

Outside we have installed a bench and a picnic table, and you now have your own dustbins so that guests no longer have to try and squeeze their rubbish in with ours.

There, a wee update, to let you know how we are. We hope to see you here again very soon.

The Guided Tour

Our first three sets of guests have been very complimentary. They have found the bothy to be well equipped and with everything they need, and a little more.

We have tried hard to provide what we would want if we were visiting the island. The bathroom not only has a large head shower but a full sized bath as well, so if you have been out and about walking or cycling you can have a good, warm soak at the end of the day.  The extractor fan has been chosen to be extra quiet so as not to disturb anyone sleeping if you have to get up int he night and the mirror is heated so it won’t stream up.

 

As you come in there is a heated towel rail under the coat hooks; perfect for drying your wet socks and coats, and ensuring they are warm when you put them on again. There is another radiator behind the hanging rail, again to assist with drying damp clothes. The bothy is very warm so we have ensured there is an easy to use thermostat in case you feel the heat. The radiators are adjustable too, and the small windows provide a cooling through draft if you need it! The wood burner will be great in the winter to add extra toastiness!

The bothy has its own boiler and we have set the timer to come on three times a day so that if you come back early you won’t have to wait for things to warm up. We decided against electric storage heaters that many use as they are warm in the morning and freezing in the evening.

The large windows provide lots of light but have blinds so you can stay private, shut out the morning sun or embrace the day, whichever you choose!

There are six USB charging points, internet and Freesat TV. While you may want to get away from it all, you can stay in touch if you need to. You can cosy up an watch a film, listen to the radio or check out the weather any time. Best of all you can watch TV from the sofa or the bed.

The small kitchen area has two halogen rings, a microwave combi oven, toaster and kettle. We provide tea, coffee,  sugar and some breakfast basics such as bread, eggs, butter and milk. There work top is small and so we have installed a small extra work top in the top drawer that pulls out, to give you more space to prepare food if you decide not to eat out every day. The fridge contains a small freezer compartment for ice and essentials.

We all like a little luxury when we are away. Ours come in the form of sheepskin rugs for your toes in the morning, cosy bathrobes to hang out in, Skye soaps, and we like to welcome our guests with a local gin and tonic and some home made short bread.

 

Outside we have provided a big comfy oak bench and table, and a fire pit. Walking boots and wellies take up space and so there is a welly rack outside to hang them on and a boot jack to get them off with minimal effort.

We have tried to think of everything…. enjoy your stay!

All Systems Go

I am both delighted and relieved to announce that Taigh na Cùil is complete, and taking bookings via Airbnb. Clive has worked his socks off to get our bothy ready for this season and we are really pleased with the results.

It’s certainly quirky looking, with it’s huge chimney, but inside it has a lovely feel, is light, bright, incredibly warm and cosy. There are lashings of hot water and we have both a both and shower to suit everyone after a day’s walking and exploring. With the weather in mind we have an extra towel rail to dry coats and socks etc and the open wardrobe has a radiator in the back for the same reason.

We have started to receive bookings and there has been a lot of interest shown, although, understandably, a lack of pictures has put people off. The pictures are there now, so folk can see what we are offering.

Coming Along Nicely.

The work continues with Clive working all hours to be ready for our first guests. We have bookings from the end of April from brave folk who are prepared to book without seeing the final product.

This week we take down what has been our workshop and storage facility… thankfully, as it is probably one of the ugliest things on this part of Skye! A big skip is due to arrive tomorrow and wrecking takes place on Thursday with help from friends. Then we can fence in the garden area and clad the back end of the bothy.

Inside the kitchen is done, the skirting boards are on, the bed frame is in situ and the furniture is slowly starting to appear. The TV is on the wall and working. It’s like Christmas every day with parcels full of kitchen implements and all manner of ‘stuff’ arriving two or three times a day.

Trees have been planted and lawn seed sown… it’s happening!

 

Update

We have started to advertise on Airbnb so that we don’t miss out on summer booking. The press last year had a field day with stories about the island being full during the summer and  therefore people may not try booking late. The decorating is done and we are in the process of laying the floor, finishing off the plumbing and electrics, and then we will be putting the furnishings in. The next really big job is the building on the back of the bothy will need to be taken down… it’s really ugly and leaks!

The landscaping is coming along. Grass still needs to be planted but the fencing has arrived, ready to be erected. It’s all go but it’s looking good!

 

My First!

If ever there was a reason to come to Skye then this could be it…

I have never seen the aurora before and my first was pretty spectacular. We can’t see the lights from the bothy but a short trip in the car to Broadford is all it takes.

First Booking

We have taken our first booking despite not being finished. The bonus is that it’s from customer for Penny’s photography business!

In other news all the ‘stuff’ for the bothy decor has started to arrive, the wood burner is in and decoration is starting. The plumbing is almost finished too.

It’s starting to feel cosy with the fire on and we can really envisage how it might look now.